Volunteering

Hunger is a fact of life for many Coloradoans. Many do not know where their next meal will come from. Arc Thrift Stores, KMGH Television and AARP’s Drive to End Hunger has kicked off the 12th annual “Feed Colorado” food drive.

Last year 140 tons of food were collected and donated to Volunteers of America’s (VOA) City Harvest Food Bank. The focus this year will be helping the aging population. Seniors are one of the highest, at-risk, populations for food insecurity. According to AARP, Colorado ranks 28th for food insecurity and 18.3% of Coloradoans can’t afford to buy food. “Over 12% of Coloradoans are food insecure. The items collected will be distributed to 75 local food banks and shelters in Colorado. This is the single largest donation of food received by Volunteers of America,” stated Lloyd Lewis, President and CEO, Arc Thrift Stores.

Upon delivery of an order and pick-up of a food donation of two or more food items, Papa John’s Pizza customers will receive a coupon for free garlic parmesan breadsticks with the next order of a large or X-large pizza.

As Arc Thrift Stores team members make their usual calls for donations of clothing and household items, they remind donors that they can also donate food. With this simple suggestion, over 65,000 households participated in the drive in 2011.

About AARP Foundation:AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is the charitable affiliate of AARP.